Canine infectious disease AI Flashcards
What are the common environments where Leptospira can be found?
Drainage ditches, ponds, slow flowing rivers, and lakes.
What are the sources of infection with L.Icterohaemorrhagiae for both dogs and humans?
Rats
What is the main reservoir of L.canicola?
Dogs
For how long can Leptospira be shed in the urine after clinical infection or by an asymptomatic carrier?
Many months
What is the aim of treatment for Leptospira infection?
Elimination of the renal carrier state
Under what conditions will Leptospira survive in the environment?
Sufficient humidity and moderate temperature
What activates Leptospira?
Sunlight or low/high pH
What are the routes through which infection with Leptospira can take place?
Penetrating skin or mucous membranes of oral cavity, pharynx, conjunctiva, and intestinal mucosa
After infection, what happens during the initial leptospiraemia phase?
Leptospira circulates in the blood for about one week
Which tissues do Leptospira usually localize in after the initial leptospiraemia phase?
Liver, spleen, kidneys, and lymph nodes
Which serovar tends to produce a nephropathy and severe inflammation of the interstitium?
L.canicola
Which serovar tends to produce acute hepatitis and perivascular haemorrhage with liver involvement?
L.Icterohaemorrhagiae
What happens to the levels of protective antibodies after recovery from a Leptospira infection?
They remain high for a long time
What are the common clinical signs of Leptospira infection?
Lethargy, anorexia, pyrexia, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice
What can pulmonary haemorrhage indicate during a Leptospira infection?
L.Icterohaemorrhagiae infection
What can uraemia with oral ulceration indicate during a Leptospira infection?
L.canicola infection
What can be a possible outcome in severe cases of Leptospira infection?
Rapid clinical deterioration and death within a few days
Which diagnostic methods can be used for Leptospira infection?
Dark field microscopy, silver staining, immunofluorescence, serology, PCR tests
What is the easiest way to distinguish Leptospira infection from vaccination titres?
A rising titre (four-fold increase)
Why is culturing Leptospira rarely undertaken?
Leptospira are hard to grow in culture
What is the recommended duration of antibiotic therapy for recovering cases of Leptospira infection?
At least two weeks
What are the current killed vaccine components for Leptospira in the UK?
L.canicola and L.Icterohaemorrhagiae
What has been recently added to the new vaccines for Leptospira due to increased incidences?
L.Copenhageni and L.Bratislava
What is the vital first step in treating Leptospira infection?
Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics